Best Lead Actress Deborah Mailman and Best Supporting Actress Jessica Mauboy won for playing sisters in the group. The award for lead actor went to Chris O'Dowd, who played "The Sapphires" talent manager and is perhaps best known for his role as a police officer in the smash comedy "Bridesmaids."

The academy also recognized "The Sapphires" director Wayne Blair and writers, Keith Thompson and Tony Briggs, who adapted the screenplay from Briggs' stage production inspired by his mother's experiences.

"The Sapphires" won 11 awards in all, including technical categories announced earlier. Backstage, Blair said he never thought such a result would be possible, "not in my wildest dreams.

Mauboy accepted her award from presenter Nicole Kidman and claimed she felt undeserving of the prize because she had been in the industry for "like a second."